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Chris Scholtz previews the Rosehill and Magic Millions meetings on January 13 with best bets and selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.

GOLD COAST January 13

MAGIC MILLIONS CLASSIC: Easy to rate (1) STORM BOY as the horse to beat as he has posted among the best juvenile figures of the season in his two wins at Rosehill (soft) and Eagle Farm and his stable has a superb record in this race. However the map is not ideal for him with all the speed drawn around him and he may be vulnerable late as it seems certain they will make him work from the start. (4) HIGHNESS ran home over the top of the pacy (2) SPYWIRE to win the Wyong Magic Millions (1100m) a month ago and that form now has substance after the runner-up won with ease over 1100m here last Saturday. HIGHNESS has since powered to the line to win a Rosehill trial and with the soft run he will enjoy from his inside gate he is sure to be one of the strongest over the last 100m. Victorian filly (8) ARABIAN SUMMER posted better figures than SPYWIRE in her impressive win on this track last Saturday after her easy Ballarat win where she beat the subsequent Randwick winner (3) PARKOUR. She's relished soft tracks and has the tactical speed to match the favourite. (5) WOLFGANG has won twice on soft tracks and did his best work over the last 100m when stepping up to 1200m last time at Doomben. He needs to find more improvement but his good barrier works for him. (10) POSTER GIRL worked to the line nicely when second to Storm Boy over 1200m in the BJ McLachlan at Eagle Farm. She's another from a good draw that you can entertain for the exotics.

(4) HIGHNESS; (8) Arabian Summer; (1) Storm Boy; (10) Poster Girl; (5) Wolfgang; (2) Spywire

 Best Bets

RACE 6 (1) PRINCE OF BOOM: Quality sprinter has been down on his best form in two starts since resuming despite strong winning trials. Expecting big improvement as he is unbeaten in two starts at this course including the G3 GC Guineas on a heavy track as a 3YO. Holds a big ratings call over this field on his best performances as his eight wins include five Group and Listed races.

RACE 7: (3) KING OF SPARTA: Classy Group winner is unbeaten in two visits to this meeting, winning the MM Guineas in 2022 and carrying 59kg to a dominant win in this race last year. He reunites with J Mac with 2kg less from a soft draw and sting out of the ground is ideal for him. Worked like a winner in his recent Sydney trial.

For Value

RACE 1 (14) BROCKY: Good first up performer with a strong profile for this class. Plenty of wet track experience and rates well on his consistent city form.

RACE 4 (16) HATCHET: Added to his growing record with a strong first-up win over 1200m at Doomben. Extra trip is no concern and a handy drop in weight from a good draw should see him measure up to this class.

RACE 9 (13) ABOUNDING: Group placed filly has been out of the first three only once in 10 starts with a new peak looming after her last start win in the Listed Gold Edition (1200m) at Eagle Farm. Good enough to test the higher weighted colts.

RACE 10 (7) REVOLUTIONARY MISS: High class mare lands here fresh off a six weeks break since she posted back to back Group and Listed wins under big weights on affected tracks in Victoria over 1400m and 1600m. She's had an easy tick over trial at Rosehill and it's significant that James McDonald takes the ride from a favourable gate against major rivals drawn poorly in the big field.

RACE 11 (11) MISS HELLFIRE: If we've got it right this progressive mare can cap a big day for the Snowden stable as she is yet another of their runners arriving in strong form, having reached a new peak with her easy last start win over 1200m against her own sex at Randwick when she made light of 59kg on a soft track. Should relish her handy drop in weight under similar conditions.

Selections

RACE 1: (11) BROCKY; (6) Hodgson; (15) Party Spirit; (14) Jamaican Rumba

RACE 2: (4) DOMINETTA; (9) Too Darn Lizzie; (1) Bank Book; (5) Froebel Star

RACE 3: (8) LEAD ME ON; (1) Barracuda; (12) Due Calzini; (10) The Hamo

RACE 4: (16) HATCHET; (14) Steady Ready; (9) Boom Torque; (1) Rothfire

RACE 5: (3) ZENNZELLA; (1) Sky Lab; (6) So United; (5) Parry Sound 

RACE 6: (1) PRINCE OF BOOM; (4) Golden Boom; (12) Bezique; (13) Rupertaar

RACE 7: (3) KING OF SPARTA; (7) Nettuno; (2) Shooting For Gold; (10) Smart Image

RACE 8: (4) HIGHNESS; (8) Arabian Summer; (1) Storm Boy; (10) Poster Girl

RACE 9: (13) ABOUNDING; (1) Cifrado; (2) Chrysaor; (9) Veecee

RACE 10: (7) REVOLUTIONARY MISS; (2) Far Too Easy; (9) King Of Hastings; (3) Loch Eagle

RACE 11: (11) MISS HELLFIRE; (3) Lady Laguna; (1) Royal Merchant; (8) Lady Of Luxury

ROSEHILL January 13

Best Bets

RACE 5: (7) MRS CHRISSIE - Top stable must have looked at the weak nominations list before adding this last start Melbourne winner as a late entry. Maher and Eustace have become experts switching in-form runners between cities and this grade looks the perfect step for this promising mare after her impressive first-up win over 1100m at Caulfield. Well placed to go on with it.

RACE 7: (12) NAVAL COLLEGE - Talented import gets his first crack at black type after a strong second up win over 2000m at Randwick. Holds ample scope for improvement off that win, his fourth in 11 starts, and rates as the one to beat with a 3kg drop to the limit weight. A vote of confidence from connections retaining apprentice Jett Stanley in this non claiming race as he's ridden the 5YO four times for three wins.

RACE 9: (11) UNION ARMY - Found 1100m too short when finishing third first-up behind Boston Rocks at Randwick and then went down by only a long neck in a blanket finish over 1200m there last time after covering ground from the 800m. Weighted to win meeting Boston Rocks on 3kg better terms - just needs good pace and a positive ride from low draw.

Selections

RACE 1: (3) POSEIDON RULER; (6) Gelatin; (8) Bluff 'N' Bluster; (2) Jumeirah Beach

RACE 2: (7) LIFE'S A PARTY; (3) Divine Sinner; (11) I'm A Steel; (9) Tabata Set

RACE 3: (1) PENTHOUSE: (2) Blow Dart; (5) Acotango; (9) Syrian Star

RACE 4: (11) INFANCY; (2) Gallant Star; (8) Dazzle Legend; (9) King Of Dubai

RACE 5: (7) MRS CHRISSIE; (3) Either Oar; (9) Kitty Chat; (2) Winning Verse 

RACE 6: (12) ANGEL OF LIGHT; (8) Louisville; (3) Aristonous; (7) Floating

RACE 7: (12) NAVAL COLLEGE; (10) Riyazan; (5) Baby Rider; (9) Touristic

RACE 8: (8) KA BLING; (6) Rubamos; (3) Zou Tiger; (1) Ucalledit

RACE 9: (11) UNION ARMY: (5) Pereille; (8) Boston Rocks; (3) So Good So Cool

RACE 10: (12) CROSS THE RUBICON; (2) Testator Silens; (5) Starman; (8) Principessa

Why They Can Win….

RACE 1: (3) POSEIDON RULER - Came from too far back last time over 1400m. Drops 4kg, extra trip suits and gets needed gear with visors on.

RACE 2: (7) LIFE'S A PARTY - Fit mare went close in a stronger Highway last time. Will be suited by expected strong pace.

RACE 3: (1) PENTHOUSE - Flies fresh and a big Canberra trial win says she's ready. Goes well for her apprentice rider.

RACE 4: (11) INFANCY - Nice effort in strong form race second up. Fitter again and rates to win on the limit weight.

RACE 6: (12) ANGEL OF LIGHT - Nice improvement second up when up to this trip. Can exploit her weight advantage.

RACE 8: (12) KA BLING: Back from a creditable Doomben fifth when having his first outing for six weeks. Rates highly with light weight in this class.

RACE 10: (12) CROSS THE RUBICON – Going well this class. Stable lead choosing this race over Gold Coast option. Good value with no weight from good draw.

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – January 12-13

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Winning Verse (R5); Ucalledit (R8); Pereille (R9)

GOLD COAST SATURDAY: Dominetta (R2); Too Darn Lizzie (R2); Barracuda (R3); King Of Sparta (R7); Highness (R8); Veecee (R9)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Junqueira; Tycoon Deshauna; Magnucat; Shezanalister; Kitty Chat; Dize; Tamerlane; Lady Soames; King Of Roseau; Secret Revolution; Take Me To Church; Deep Romance; Straight Charge; Utopian Wine; Gelatin; Shaken; Time To Boogie; Boston Rocks; Anode; Chartwell; Katsumoto; Highness; Royal Merchant.

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM January 2: WINNING VERSE always performs well in her trials and showed her usual speed to comfortably win her heat over 815m (47.34; 33.42). Flemington winner VEECEE had plenty to offer finishing an easy third under a quiet ride in his first Sydney trial over 808m.

ROSEHILL December 29: Classy youngster HIGHNESS will head to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions in rich form after impressive work to win his 900m heat in the fastest of the three 2YO heats (54.06; 34.27). The pacy leader BARRACUDA made him work before he went up a gear to run clear over the last 100m, impressing with the way he extended over the last 50 metres to win by almost three lengths. KING OF SPARTA was given an easy trial finishing fifth in the fastest of three 1030m heats (61.81; 34.72), working home nicely under a big hold. It was a good morning for the Bjorn Baker team with strong trial by ROCKABILLY REBEL. NORTON ROAD is a runner to keep an eye on from the maiden heats.

WARWICK FARM December 22: TOO DARN LIZZIE, a racy Too Darn Hot filly from the Waterhouse/Bott yard, posted the fastest time of the four 2YO heats (48.26; 34.16).

RANDWICK December 11: Waterhouse and Bott won another 2YO heat over 740m with the unraced Zoustar filly DOMINETTA in good time (43.41; 33.25), improving on her placing in her first trial. She's a compact runner with good speed and responded well after covering ground.

BLACKBOOK REPORT

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – January 10-11

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Aristonous R6); Riyazan (R6); So Good So Cool (R9); Union Army (R9)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Jenny Jerome (R10)

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: House Of Cards (R7)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Va Via; Miracle Spin; Contemporary; Zennzella; Gelatin; Munhamek; Acotango; Acquitted; Bowery Breeze; Stroke Of Luck; Ka Bling; Rose Quartz; Let'srollthedice; Schwarz; I've Bean Tryin'; Storm The Ramparts; Without A Fight; Crackerjack Prince; Pesto; Sharp Shock; Attrition; Territory Express

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected January 6

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